Town Of Dedham: A Message From The Board Of Health - February 18, 2022

Press release from the Town of Dedham:

02/18/2022 8:30 AM

DEDHAM – There continues to be a decrease in COVID-19 cases in Town and across the Commonwealth. Below please find COVID-19 information as of February 17, 2022. More statistics can be found on www.mass.gov.

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NOTE: These numbers do not include people who tested positive with at-home antigen tests.

Updated Mask Advisory Across Commonwealth

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) updated their mask advisory on February 15, 2022. MDPH now recommends masking when indoors (and not at your own home) if you fit into the following categories:

• Not fully vaccinated
• Fully vaccinated with a weakened immune system
• Fully vaccinated but at increased risk for severe illness due to age or underlying medical condition
• Someone in your household has a weakened immune system or is at increased risk for severe illness

Masks must continue to be worn in certain settings include transportation and health care facilities, and in compliance with isolation and quarantine guidelines.

Mask Requirements in Schools

On February 15, 2022, the Dedham Board of Health voted to support DESE’s decision to lift the Mask Mandate in K-12 schools and childcare settings as of February 28, 2022. COVID-19 cases across the Dedham community and Public Schools have decreased since the Omicron surge during the first week of January. Dedham youth vaccination data as of February 1, 2022 shows that the following percentages of Dedham’s youth population is fully vaccinated (received a full initial vaccination series).

• 5-11 years: 52%
• 12-15 years: 67%
• 16-19 years: 78%

The Board of Health supports the lifting of the Mask Mandate due to the preventive and protective measures that will continue to be implemented at the Dedham Public Schools. The Schools will provide KN95 masks to staff and students if desired and will continue to provide weekly pooled testing and free at-home antigen tests to students and staff as requested. The Board of Health feels that these measures, coupled with the fact that COVID-19 vaccines are readily available to residents ages 5 and older, puts the Dedham Public Schools in a strong position to move forward with unmasking on February 28th. Should data indicate school-based spread of COVID-19 in the Dedham Public Schools, the Board will revisit this recommendation.

At-Home COVID-19 Tests for Dedham Residents in Need

The Town of Dedham purchased a limited supply of at-home COVID-19 tests to distribute to residents disproportionately impacted by the pandemic using available funds through the American Rescue Plan Act, commonly referred to as “ARPA”. The Town is using the below criteria to determine resident eligibility.

• Low-income status
• Mobility issues
• At-risk for severe illness (per CDC guidelines - including people over 65 and those with medical conditions)

At this time, the at-home test distribution is a one-time-only resource for residents that fit the criteria above and has been established to prioritize those in need within our community. Please contact the Health Department at (781) 751-9220 if you believe you are eligible and are interested in receiving a free at-home test.  

COVID-19 Vaccine

Residents 5 years and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and residents 12 years and older are eligible to get a COVID-19 booster. The Board encourages anyone who is eligible to get vaccinated. Vaccine appointments can be scheduled at vaxfinder.mass.gov/.

Stay safe and be kind!

Respectfully submitted by the Board of Health,
Leanne Jasset, Chairman
Mary Ellard, Vice-Chairman
Noreen Guilfoyle, Member

This press release was produced by the Town of Dedham. The views expressed here are the author’s own.